The Dhow Wharfage Development is a purpose-built maritime facility on Dubai’s Deira Corniche, created to expand and modernise traditional dhow trade. Launched by Dubai Municipality in May 2012, the scheme extends the wharfline between Deira Corniche and Palm Deira in front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel and provides dedicated infrastructure for loading, unloading and servicing commercial dhows.
What this place is and where it sits
Dhow Wharfage Development is a 3-kilometre continuous wharfage constructed along the north shore of Dubai Creek where the Corniche meets Palm Deira. The site was developed to increase berth capacity, handling area and draft for trading dhows operating into Dubai Creek. The facility sits directly adjacent to the Deira Corniche and is visible from the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Transport and key distances
The site is accessible on foot from the local metro: the nearest station on the Dubai Metro Green Line is coded G22 and lies approximately 634 metres away, a distance considered walkable for most users. Road travel times for common Dubai destinations are:
- Dubai Mall — roughly 20 minutes by car
- Palm Jumeirah — roughly 32 minutes by car
- Burj Al Arab — roughly 31 minutes by car
- The Walk, JBR — roughly 36 minutes by car
Major airport connections include Dubai International Airport (DXB), at about 19 minutes’ drive, and Al Maktoum International Airport, at about 57 minutes’ drive, subject to traffic conditions.
Site layout, infrastructure and technical data
The wharfage includes a series of new quay structures together with associated dredging and reclamation works. The design increased the number of loading and unloading areas to 30 and provided a combined handling footprint of approximately 90,000 square metres — an increase of more than 50% compared with the previous Dubai Creek loading and unloading area.
It can berth over 450 dhows simultaneously and handle around 1.7 million tonnes of cargo per year. The wharfage has a design depth of seven metres below low water level, compared with five metres in the creek, accommodating larger dhows than could previously call at the creek.
Support infrastructure includes entry and exit reporting wharves, administrative and control buildings, sailors’ facilities and a re-fuelling wharf. A dedicated lighting network covers the entire wharfage to permit cargo handling during evening hours.
Dredging works involved the excavation and removal of 390,000 cubic metres of seabed sand, which was re-used for reclamation across the wharf footprint.
Built environment and development status
The Dhow Wharfage Development was implemented by Dubai Municipality. The works delivered both marine and shore-side elements to increase capacity for traditional dhow trading within the Dubai Creek corridor. The development is predominantly maritime and operational in character rather than residential, with quay structures, service buildings and related port infrastructure forming its primary built elements.
Who the area suits
The Dhow Wharfage Development is principally oriented toward maritime commerce and logistics. It is suited to dhow and coastal trading-vessel operators, cargo handling and storage services, bunkering and ship services, and agencies involved in customs, reporting and marine operations. Sailors’ facilities and refuelling works also position the wharfage as a serviced calling point for crewed trading vessels. Adjoining businesses and service providers that support cargo movement and marine operations may benefit from the expanded capacity.
Local amenities and nearby points
The wharfage fronts the Deira Corniche and lies near Palm Deira. Nearby landmarks include the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Iranian Khadije Kobra School for Girls and Towheed Iranian Girls School are both approximately 3.1 km from the wharfage.
FAQ
- What is the purpose of Dhow Wharfage Development?
It was built to expand and modernise berth and handling capacity for dhow trade along the Deira Corniche, providing additional quay space, deeper berths and support infrastructure for cargo operations.
- How many dhows can the wharfage accommodate?
The development allows for over 450 dhows to berth simultaneously.
- What cargo throughput is associated with the facility?
The wharfage can handle approximately 1.7 million tonnes of cargo per year.
- Is the wharfage complete and operational?
The Dhow Wharfage Development includes quay structures, dredging and reclamation works, and shore-side service buildings.
